More than 130 job aspirants were allegedly cheated of Rs 52.68 lakh by a recruitment agency in Maharashtra's Thane district after being promised overseas employment, police said on Friday. The agency allegedly collected money and passports from candidates but failed to arrange the promised jobs before shutting down its operations.
Police have registered a case against eight persons associated with the recruitment agency and launched an investigation to trace the accused.
Recruitment agency allegedly promised overseas jobs
According to police, the alleged fraud took place between January and May this year and involved a recruitment agency operating under the name Al-Limra International in Kalyan.
A Mumbai resident approached the Mahatma Phule Chowk Police Station with a complaint alleging that the agency lured job seekers by promising lucrative employment opportunities abroad.
The complainant alleged that candidates were asked to pay substantial amounts of money and submit their passports as part of the recruitment process. However, the promised jobs never materialised.
Victims lost money and passports, police say
Inspector Vinod Patil said the alleged fraud affected more than 130 people.
"Out of the total pool of more than 130 victims, some have lost both their money and passports. When the victims attempted to follow up on their applications, they discovered that the agency had abruptly shut down its operations," said Inspector Vinod Patil.
Police said the total amount involved in the alleged fraud has so far been estimated at Rs 52,68,500.
Investigators are working to identify the full extent of the scam and locate the eight accused named in the case.
Investigation underway to trace accused
An FIR has been registered against the accused, and police are examining financial transactions and other evidence related to the recruitment agency's operations.
Officials are also verifying complaints from other victims to determine whether additional cases are linked to the alleged fraud.
Authorities have urged job seekers to verify the credentials of recruitment agencies before making payments or handing over important documents such as passports.
Separate case involves fake Thane civic jobs
In a separate incident, police have booked three individuals for allegedly cheating eight people, including a 49-year-old homemaker, of nearly Rs 16 lakh by promising jobs in the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC).
According to police, the alleged offence took place over the past year. The accused allegedly collected Rs 15.95 lakh from the victims after assuring them they would secure employment with the civic body.
However, police said neither the promised jobs were provided nor was the money returned.
Victims allegedly threatened after demanding refunds
According to the complaint, the victims later approached the accused seeking either the promised employment or a refund of the money they had paid.
Police alleged that the accused instead threatened them with serious consequences.
Based on the complaint filed by the homemaker, the Thane Nagar Police registered an FIR on July 10 under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including charges of cheating, criminal breach of trust and criminal intimidation.
(With inputs from PTI)
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